Best of Barcelona: Our Top 3 Favorite Places to Eat in La Boqueria Market

November 13, 2018

What is it about a great market that everyone loves? Is it the atmosphere? The hustle and bustle? The smells of delicious freshly cooked food wafting through the air?

It’s all of those things and more! Read on to find out all about some of our favorite places to eat in La Boqueria Market.

The Most Famous Market in Barcelona

La Boqueria Market is the epicenter of Barcelona tourism and can be found right in the center of the busiest and most vibrant boulevards in the city, Las Ramblas. As you step off the bustling strip and through the famous arches between 8 am to 8 pm you will land in the heart of this bustling market. It was awarded the prestigious Best Market in The World title in 2005 and has become an international name of reference in the last 20 years. When you first walk in, the sound is electric—it’s full of so many faces from all around the world! And without fail, almost always a few selfie sticks can be spotted, as it has become one of the most tourist-visited places in the city.

The crest of the Barcelona Coat of Arms adorns the entrance to this famous market. Photo credit: Barcelona Book

Many a famous person has walked through the giant arches which form the adorned opening along with the crest of the Barcelona Coat of Arms and the cast iron lettering bearing the full name Mercat St Josep La Boqueria. Most of the stalls are run by third and fourth generation family members though many new, fresh innovators and young entrepreneurs have also joined the team to create something truly special!

The best places to eat in La Boqueria Market

So now you know a little about this amazing place’s background—it’s time to get to the most important (tasty) stuff! There are so many incredible places to eat in La Boqueria Market. However, when faced with so many awesome foodie spots, it can be a little overwhelming to choose the best one. But don’t worry, as always we have you covered! Here’s our top 3 favorite places to eat in La Boqueria Market.

1. Bar Ramblero

This super place has seafood to die for, gambas to devour and staff you want to stay and chat with all day! This is one of our favorite places to eat in La Boqueria Market. It’s one of the newer restaurants to set up shop here, but please don’t let that deter you. The seafood is some of the best we have tasted in Barcelona and maybe even Spain!

Their menu has a large range of different tapas to choose from, and the bar is lined with pintxos—not to mention a huge array of mouth-watering menu items too. Furthermore, they also have a great selection of wines. It’s perfect, especially after 7.30 p.m., when it’s bustling with people and the market begins to close down for the night.

What to try: It has to be the seafood platter—wow. Full Stop. Just get it!

2. El Quim de La Boqueria

This is an incredible place to eat with a truly amazing and welcoming atmosphere from the moment you enter. The owner Quim is a remarkable man with a flair for creating some mouthwatering dishes. His two sons now follow in his footsteps and are busy working away creating their own innovative dishes with their father in the restaurant each day. Now that’s a team! They look like they are having fun from the moment they start until they finish. They’ve had a lot of celebrities drop by here to eat over the last few years. Maybe during your visit you might get to catch a glimpse of one too. (We want photo evidence, please!)

Quim calls himself “The defender of the eggs!“ And let’s just say it’s a title he defends with honor! The huevos rotos here are without doubt the best in Barcelona, and anyone who cooks eggs with foie is definitely our friend for life. Another variation is of course the broken eggs with squid, which is just as incredible and irresistibly tasty. Best of all though, is enjoying the heart and soul of this place—local food cooked with passion and skill. Sit back and enjoy the atmosphere while you eat great food in one of the best places to eat in La Boqueria Market.

What to try: There is no way to choose just one. Quim is constantly reinventing his signature dish. Why not ask him when you get there? You won’t be disappointed with his recommendation!

3. Bar Pinotxo

You would find it difficult to not be charmed by this place! It serves some of the best and most typical Catalan food with no fancy frills but great authentic taste. But there is one very special thing about this bar and that is the owner, Juanito. He has been working here for more than 50 years and can still remember when his mother worked there before him. She would begin cooking each morning at 4 a.m. to feed the other stall holders before they would start the day. It is a place that has stood the test of time and for very good reason. This place is on everyone’s list of top places to eat in La Boqueria Market.

Its claim to fame? Even Woody Allen has visited Juanito and eaten at this hidden gem. If it’s good enough for Woody, well it’s good enough for us!

What to try: Our favorite dish is the chickpeas and morcilla (blood sausage).

Local’s Tip: Did you know that these chickpeas are eaten for breakfast in the Pinotxo Bar? Find out how to eat breakfast like a local in Barcelona by watching our YouTube video!

All of these places are amazing and even if you get to pick just one, we have no doubt that you will have a great time. If you loved your market experience, make sure to visit some of the other beautiful markets hidden around the city.

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